Meet The Team
The World Seen is a ministry team of Multnomah University. Formed in the Fall of 1999, Dr. Ray Lubeck and several students saw the need for equipping people to understand and interact with others in our complex, rapidly-changing, pluralistic society.
One reason is that in today's market-driven world of diversity of opinions, people need help in recognizing what ideas they’re being “sold.” Pop culture surrounds us with conflicting and competing views on the most important questions of life: Is there a God? How can I find truth? Is there a meaning to life? Where did we come from? What happens at death? Who can I trust? Where is the world heading? What am I supposed to do?
Another reason is that in order to communicate intelligently and compassionately with those holding to other worldviews, we must first understand them—we need to hear their story of life that effects their basic framework of thinking and what they even accept as a good argument. Our goal isn’t just to act like watchdogs for flaws in their thinking, but to consider how life looks through their eyes, and to increase our concern and care for them as people.
A third reason is to help people better understand the messages being communicated to them through the various media of pop culture so that they are more aware and discerning of the values and perspectives they promote.
To do this, gifted Multnomah students are hand-picked each school year to serve on this team. They meet as a class regularly. Each class period they bring to class current examples of frequently aired songs, current television and movie clips, YouTube videos, art forms, advertising, articles, websites, etc. for discussion and careful analysis. Because of this constant input, the World Seen presentation is in a continual state of updating and revision. In fact, to this point no two presentations have ever been identical. Our desire is to keep the material as current and fresh as possible.
The Professor
The Students, Team 2011-2012
Enlet
Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia
Senior: Bible major, TESOL major
It’s more than how people view themselves, the world, or life in general. I believe the more important issue is how people SEE US as a Christian. The question then is “will every people from every corner SEE CHRIST in your everyday life?” Being part of World Seen helps me to answer that question better.
Jaime
Vancouver, WA
Sophomore: Bible major & Pastoral major
I recently talked to an atheist who said she had no purpose and nothing mattered. I sadly realized how hopeless some people are. I want to understand people so that I can reach them and show them Christ’s love. I am excited to learn about our culture and media's effects, and to present these ideas to others through World Seen.
Ben
Bellingham, WA
Junior: Bible Major;Greek Major
My philosophy course and previous experience with seeing World Seen have shown me the importance of being informed about worldviews when building relationships.
Jeremiah
Daly City, CA
Sophomore: Bible Major, Intercultural Studies major
I want to study different worldviews and be familar with different philosophies and religions so that I can know how to be a better witness for Christ. I am a firm believer in connecting with people by being able to place myself in their shoes.
Wendy
Rainier, WA
Sophomore: Bible major, Elementary Ed. major
My life passion is teaching, and World Seen is great way to gain experience in creatively educating youth about today's culture, while impacting them spiritually. World Seen enables us to combine philosophy, the arts, pop culture, and media to present a holistic summary of the world as seen through various perspectives.
Jenae
Medford, OR
Sophomore: Bible major, Elementary Education major
I am excited to be on the World Seen Team to learn more about the thought processes of the world around me in order to share Jesus better with the people in the world around me.
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Clarissa
Silverton, OR
Sophomore: Bible major, Intercultural Studies major, TESOL minor
From my experience growing up in Kenya, I have an intense interest in differing worldviews and how those worldviews affect everyday life. I believe that to reach out effectively and meet the needs of people, we must first understand them. Understanding a person's worldview opens a window into how and why they interact with life the way they do.
Nathaniel
Portland, OR
Junior: Bible major, Youth Ministries major
I joined this team because of the depth and breadth to which today's culture is explored. The World Seen examines where we are in our thinking globally as well as what brought us there, all with a view towards where we should go next.
Dawson
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Junior: Bible major, Pastoral major
Not many take the time to empathize with others and see what the world looks like from their perspective. I also tend to be one of these many, but I'm slowly learning to give up snap judgments of others and really take the time to engage with their ideas. This is one of the most beneficial ways of strengthening and growing our perspectives.
Tyler
Vancouver, WA
Junior: Bible major, Educational Ministries major
How are we supposed to be fishers of men and women if we don't know what kind of "bait" to use? I'm excited to learn more about the foundational beliefs and presuppostions that make up our crazy culture. Sometimes I feel out of the loop as to what's going on in the world and the World Seen prepares me to be more informed when engaging with non-Christians.
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